Prabhakaran's parents found among civilians

Ranil WIJAYAPALA

The Security Forces on information received from displaced civilians living in welfare camps have traced Tiger leader Velupillai Prabhakaran's parents among civilians on Wednesday, Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka told reporters yesterday.

He said Prabhakaran's father Thiruvenkattan Velupillai, 84, and Vallipuram Parwathie, 78, were found among the civilians living in Zone-4 of the Menik Farm welfare camp.

According to military officials, they had left the Safe Zone on May 17, along with the last batch of civilians who left the Safe Zone towards the 59 Division area in Mullaitivu.

They had told military officials that they had lived separately from Prabhakaran and had lived there against their wish.

General Fonseka said Prabhakaran's parents will be separated from other civilians as their living among the civilians would cause unnecessary problems. The Army Commander was of the opinion that Prabhakaran's parents are also responsible for their acts of terror as they have publicly endorsed their son's acts of terror when they were in exile in India.

According to Army officials, Prabhakaran's parents had lived in Visuamadu and Puthukudiyiruppu and had later shifted into the Safe Zone after they arrived in Sri Lanka during peace time.